King Of Sparta sets sights on $5m The Quokka

Yarraman Park director Harry Mitchell, one of the gelding’s owners, confirmed a deal was poised to be finalised as soon as this week.

“We were keen to come last year but it didn’t work out,” Mitchell told The Races WA.

“We’ve had three people enquire about him and one proposal and we are hoping to make a decision in the next two to three days.

“We think we will be coming.”

King Of Sparta proved a class above his rivals in the Magic Millions Snippets (1200m) at the Gold Coast last Saturday week, a race he also won last year.

The five-year-old also won the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) in 2022.

As well as his Magic Millions successes, King Of Sparta has a Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) win to his name.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained galloper will be the second interstate horse in the $5 million event, alongside defending champion Overpass.

Amelia’s Jewel has already been confirmed to run in the TABtouch slot, while Oscar’s Fortune is also expected to line up in the event.

Mitchell said connections hoped to start King Of Sparta once more before making the trip to Perth.

“He will have one run in either the Expressway Stakes or The Galaxy, then he can freshen-up and have a month between runs,” he said.

“That seems to be a good profile for him.

“The Magic Millions and the Quokka were races we identified and thought we could win.

“He always needs a little bit of luck in his races, but he has a great turn of foot.”

James McDonald rode the son of I Am Invincible at his most recent start and Mitchell said he hoped the star jockey would continue the association in The Quokka.